Twinkling from this free crochet Christmas lights garland pattern are all the merry moments of holidays approaching—the wan winter landscape exploding into the color of a thousand decorations, the bustle of busy hands hanging lights all around, and the distant hubbub of a hectic holiday market calling out to your innermost indulgences.
While the embers of a yule log crackle from the fireplace, warm up your idle fingers with this free crochet Christmas lights garland pattern!
Pattern Information | Free Crochet Christmas Lights Garland
Supplies:
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- Size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook
- Medium (4) weight yarn in 7 colors:
- Yarn A – green (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Medium Thyme)
- Yarn B – pink (example uses Big Twist Value: Bubblegum)
- Yarn C – yellow (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Bright Yellow)
- Yarn D – red (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Cherry Red)
- Yarn E – green (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Spring Green)
- Yarn F – orange (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Pumpkin)
- Yarn G – blue (example uses Red Heart Super Saver: Turqua)
- Polyester fiberfill
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional)
Terminology:
This free crochet Christmas lights garland pattern uses English (US) terminology:
- st (sts) = stitch (stitches)
- ch = chain stitch
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (over the span of 2 stitches), also known as a decrease
- hdc = half double crochet
- BLO = back loop only
Please note that this pattern is written so that each crochet stitch abbreviation is attached to a number, such as 1sc, 2sc, etc. This number denotes how many of that stitch is to be worked into the same stitch.
In other words, 1sc = one single crochet, whereas 2sc = two single crochet worked into one stitch, also known as an increase.
Special Stitch Instructions:
Please review our special stitch instructions on our Stitch Tutorials FAQ page before beginning, as some techniques may be unique to this pattern.
This free crochet Christmas lights garland pattern uses the following special stitch tutorials:
- Single Crochet (YU/YO Method)
- Invisible Decrease
- Joining Rounds
Most of this pattern is worked in the round, with each round joined at the end with a slip stitch. Unless otherwise instructed, the first stitch of your next round will always be worked into the same stitch as your joining slip stitch has been worked into.
Be sure to always keep the ‘right side’ of your stitches facing outwards as you work. The right side is the front side of the stitch that is facing you as you are completing each stitch.
Pattern Instructions | Free Crochet Christmas Lights Garland
Bulb Socket – Rounds 1 to 5:
With yarn A (green), leave a short tail for weaving in and chain 3.
Rnd 1: 9hdc into 3rd ch from hook, sl st into 1st st to join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 2: 1sc into BLO of each st around, join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 3: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 4: 1sc into each st around, do not join (9).
Rnd 5: sl st into each st around (9).
Before continuing, choose which style of bulb you would like to make for your crochet Christmas lights garland below.
For the extended bulb socket version, as seen on the left in the photo below, join into the 1st slip stitch of round 5 and chain 1.
Then, continue ahead to round 6 of the Bulb Socket (Extended) instructions in the next section below.
Alternatively, for the slightly easier version without the extra lip on the bottom of your bulb socket, as seen on the right in the photo above, fasten off yarn A and leave a short tail for weaving in.
Then skip ahead to round 6 of the Crochet Christmas Lights instructions, after the next section.
Bulb Socket (Extended) – Rounds 6 to 7:
Take care when completing round 6 to work into your previous round of slip stitches only!
Be sure to leave the tops of the stitches from round 4, directly behind your slip stitches, unobstructed. You will be rejoining and working back into these stitches later.
Rnd 6: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, 2sc into next st] 3 times, do not join (12).
Rnd 7: sl st into each st around (12).
Fasten off yarn A and leave a short tail for weaving in.
Then, continue to round 6 of your crochet Christmas lights garland below.
Crochet Christmas Lights – Rounds 6 to 16:
You will now be working the bulb of your crochet Christmas lights directly off of your bulb socket, in the tops of the stitches leftover from round 4 of the socket.
For the extended bulb sockets, fold the last 2 rounds downwards so that you can access the stitches of round 4 on the inside of your socket.
If you’ve skipped the extended version of the bulb socket, simply make sure to work round 6 into the top of round 4 only. Do not work into the slip stitches from your previous round.
Join your chosen yarn color for your bulb by inserting your hook into the first stitch from round 4 of your socket. Pull up a loop of your yarn and chain 1.
Rnd 6: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 7: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, 2sc into next st] 3 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 8: [2sc into next st, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (15).
Rnd 9: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (15).
Rnd 10: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (15).
Rnd 11: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (15).
Begin stuffing generously as you go.
Rnd 12: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into each of next 3 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 13: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (12).
Rnd 14: [1sc into each of next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts] 3 times, join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 15: 1sc into each st around, join, ch 1 (9).
Rnd 16: [sc2tog over next 2 sts, 1sc into next st] 3 times, join (6).
Fasten off yarn and leave a tail for sewing closed.
Sewing Closed:
To sew the bottom hole closed, pass the needle, from front to back, through the front loop only of each stitch around and then pull tight.
Secure your sewing with a knot, trim the tail, and sew in any remaining length. Set aside for now.
Next, repeat all instructions from the beginning, 5 more times, for a total of 6 crochet Christmas lights.
Then, follow the instructions below for attaching your lights onto your garland.
Attaching Crochet Christmas Lights Garland:
Once you have all of your crochet Christmas lights finished, you may begin attaching them together onto your garland string.
The example garland uses 6 bulbs, however, you may use more or fewer pieces, for a longer or shorter garland, respectively!
In order to attach each crochet Christmas light onto your garland, you will be working 1 single crochet into the top of each piece, into the center of the bulb socket.
To do this, insert your hook into the center ring of the socket, then out again through any adjacent space. Yarn over and pull though, then complete your stitch as normal.
With yarn A (green), work row 1 below to attach your bulbs together into a garland.
If you plan to use your beginning and end tails to tie up your garland, be sure to leave some tail at the beginning of your work.
The example crochet Christmas lights garland arranges the bulbs in the following ordered color scheme: pink, yellow, red, green, orange, then blue.
Row 1: ch 15, [1sc into top of next bulb, ch 15] 6 times (111).
The pattern given above is for the example garland, which consists of 6 crochet Christmas lights.
To make the garland longer, simply repeat the bracketed sequence in the pattern once more for each additional bulb that you’d like to attach.
Once all of your bulbs are attached and your garland reaches your desired length, fasten off yarn A and leave a tail for either tying or sewing.
Finally, you may use your beginning and end tails to tie up your garland, or weave them into your chain for a more finished look. Choose whichever method works best for you!
Conclusion | Free Crochet Christmas Lights Garland
And with that, you’re done the free Crochet Christmas Lights Garland pattern! If you enjoyed this pattern, be sure to check out some of our other Christmas home decor patterns, such as our Pine Tree Garland, Minimalist Christmas Tree Set and our Christmas Bauble Ornament Set!
You can also explore the Cutie Collections and the Pocket Pets archives for our original and free amigurumi patterns, or our Home Decor Patterns for other homemade household goodies!
If you’re looking to cozy up with a longer project, check out our Clothing Patterns, or assemble your own designs from one of our Granny Square Patterns!
And don’t forget to browse our downloadable, ad-free patterns in our Etsy store!
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